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flygirl_01's review against another edition
3.0
3.4 out of five stars.
This author duo definitely wrote an interesting take on the Trojan War. The writing was lyrical, many concepts were creatively played with, and I generally like Greek myth retellings about the war. The completely original character, Rhea, was very intriguing, and I loved reading her parts of the story the most.
Unfortunately, I felt like this book dragged on in certain points. One character angsted over an outcome that was inevitable from the perspective of the Iliad. Andromache and Helen’s characterizations were interesting, but I didn’t entirely like every aspect of their reimagining, especially Andromache being seen as “too mannish”, for lack of a better word. Additionally, we don’t really see much of the Greek soldiers, and some things in this novel, like Andromache being able to rival Odysseus in intelligence, suspend my disbelief a little too much. I like seeing Andromache be a tactician, but I might be too used to thinking of Odysseus as too wily for anyone but Penelope to understand. I admire the work the authors put into making this book, but the above criticisms, and a distinct lack of the Greek pantheon playing a role, made me have mixed feelings on this book.
This author duo definitely wrote an interesting take on the Trojan War. The writing was lyrical, many concepts were creatively played with, and I generally like Greek myth retellings about the war. The completely original character, Rhea, was very intriguing, and I loved reading her parts of the story the most.
Unfortunately, I felt like this book dragged on in certain points. One character angsted over an outcome that was inevitable from the perspective of the Iliad. Andromache and Helen’s characterizations were interesting, but I didn’t entirely like every aspect of their reimagining, especially Andromache being seen as “too mannish”, for lack of a better word. Additionally, we don’t really see much of the Greek soldiers, and some things in this novel, like Andromache being able to rival Odysseus in intelligence, suspend my disbelief a little too much. I like seeing Andromache be a tactician, but I might be too used to thinking of Odysseus as too wily for anyone but Penelope to understand. I admire the work the authors put into making this book, but the above criticisms, and a distinct lack of the Greek pantheon playing a role, made me have mixed feelings on this book.
gillian0231's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*This review will contain very minor spoilers for both Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze so do not read if you'd like to avoid this*
As someone who reads a lot of myth retellings, I've found the genre to be getting very bogged down and repetitive, especially when it comes to the Trojan War. However, I think Daughters of Bronze (and the duology in general) is really the breath of fresh air that this genre needed. Some of the retellings I've read tend to be pretty clinical and maybe too focused on being true to the myth while trying to add in their own spin. I'm not an expert of how the myths were really told, so I have really don't know if this is supposed to be a faithful retelling, but the differences I saw in this book compared to others were honestly my favorite parts.
This is probably the most emotionally charged retelling I've read and I absolutely loved it. It really felt like I was reading about real people with real lives and motivations, instead of just distant mythical characters. I felt so much more connected to these characters and even though I knew their fates, I was so hoping it would change and was so devastated when it didn't. Of course this is a tragedy and I expected to be heartbroken over Andromache's story, but Rhea's and Cassandra's hit me so much harder than I was expecting.
Rhea's emotional and mental journey from the first book to the second was so incredible to read. She started alone, scared, and so unsure of herself and her abilities. I loved how she grew into this confident and powerful girl who had the love and trust of so many people. Additionally, as a sucker for romance, her doomed love with Ajax was one of my favorite parts of the story and broke my heart into a million pieces.
I also really loved how there were major changes made to the myth without changing any major outcomes. Every change made didn't change how the story traditionally ended, but just added this interesting layer to the story that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. It was also so fascinating to see this overarching theme in the books about whether or not the gods were real. Of the course the characters did truly believe in them but all of the major plot points that are traditionally attributed to direct actions from the gods. The one I think I can talk about without spoiling anything is how Cassandra's "madness" is more than likely DID than a curse inflicted on her by Apollo. The way it is described throughout the story, from how it was brought about, to how it presents itself, and to how all these parts of Cassandra interact with one another, is so obviously DID that it honestly makes her story even more tragic. To learn that her struggles in life were the result of human action and callousness, instead of this all powerful god that anyone would be defenseless against, makes her story much more realistic and heart-breaking.
I do have a few issues with the book. For example, there were also a few gods and goddesses from other cultures that I didn't know anything about and a few terms that were used that I didn't understand. It could have been helpful to have had a glossary with just a quick explanation for these more obscure concepts. I also really wish we could've seen a little more about Helen. She was a major catalyst for a lot of things that happened in this story (the obvious ones along with some others), and I feel like this is one of the few retellings that really paints her as a true victim, but also not entirely helpless. What we got about her and her motivations were really well done, and while I do think it was pretty well rounded, I wish we could've seen a little more of her, specifically more of her relationships with other characters in the story besides Paris.
I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up and think that overall this was a very well-done duology. While it did seem slow at times, I don't think this story was dragged out by any means. It gave all of its main characters (and quite a few side characters) very interesting and well-rounded journeys. I think everyone's endings, whether it was exactly how the myth described it or not, made sense and was very satisfying to their character and their storyline.
*This review will be the same for both Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze, since I didn't realize DOB was a sequel, got it from NetGalley, started reading, was pretty confused, realized it was a sequel, had to go buy HOF because I was enjoying DOB so much, and read both back to back*
As someone who reads a lot of myth retellings, I've found the genre to be getting very bogged down and repetitive, especially when it comes to the Trojan War. However, I think Daughters of Bronze (and the duology in general) is really the breath of fresh air that this genre needed. Some of the retellings I've read tend to be pretty clinical and maybe too focused on being true to the myth while trying to add in their own spin. I'm not an expert of how the myths were really told, so I have really don't know if this is supposed to be a faithful retelling, but the differences I saw in this book compared to others were honestly my favorite parts.
This is probably the most emotionally charged retelling I've read and I absolutely loved it. It really felt like I was reading about real people with real lives and motivations, instead of just distant mythical characters. I felt so much more connected to these characters and even though I knew their fates, I was so hoping it would change and was so devastated when it didn't. Of course this is a tragedy and I expected to be heartbroken over Andromache's story, but Rhea's and Cassandra's hit me so much harder than I was expecting.
Rhea's emotional and mental journey from the first book to the second was so incredible to read. She started alone, scared, and so unsure of herself and her abilities. I loved how she grew into this confident and powerful girl who had the love and trust of so many people. Additionally, as a sucker for romance, her doomed love with Ajax was one of my favorite parts of the story and broke my heart into a million pieces.
I also really loved how there were major changes made to the myth without changing any major outcomes. Every change made didn't change how the story traditionally ended, but just added this interesting layer to the story that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. It was also so fascinating to see this overarching theme in the books about whether or not the gods were real. Of the course the characters did truly believe in them but all of the major plot points that are traditionally attributed to direct actions from the gods. The one I think I can talk about without spoiling anything is how Cassandra's "madness" is more than likely DID than a curse inflicted on her by Apollo. The way it is described throughout the story, from how it was brought about, to how it presents itself, and to how all these parts of Cassandra interact with one another, is so obviously DID that it honestly makes her story even more tragic. To learn that her struggles in life were the result of human action and callousness, instead of this all powerful god that anyone would be defenseless against, makes her story much more realistic and heart-breaking.
I do have a few issues with the book. For example, there were also a few gods and goddesses from other cultures that I didn't know anything about and a few terms that were used that I didn't understand. It could have been helpful to have had a glossary with just a quick explanation for these more obscure concepts. I also really wish we could've seen a little more about Helen. She was a major catalyst for a lot of things that happened in this story (the obvious ones along with some others), and I feel like this is one of the few retellings that really paints her as a true victim, but also not entirely helpless. What we got about her and her motivations were really well done, and while I do think it was pretty well rounded, I wish we could've seen a little more of her, specifically more of her relationships with other characters in the story besides Paris.
I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up and think that overall this was a very well-done duology. While it did seem slow at times, I don't think this story was dragged out by any means. It gave all of its main characters (and quite a few side characters) very interesting and well-rounded journeys. I think everyone's endings, whether it was exactly how the myth described it or not, made sense and was very satisfying to their character and their storyline.
*This review will be the same for both Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze, since I didn't realize DOB was a sequel, got it from NetGalley, started reading, was pretty confused, realized it was a sequel, had to go buy HOF because I was enjoying DOB so much, and read both back to back*
dbartelt's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
princess_gtm122's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jsmithesq's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
ginalucia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Is it possible to have so many retellings of The Battle of Troy and have them all be different?
Yes, okay? So keep them coming!
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Horses of Fire as much as I did. The battle and build-up to it are so vast and encompass so many characters, you could easily get lost in it.
But with this book, it simply isn’t possible because the main focus isn’t the battle. It’s the characters.
The three women Horses of Fire focuses on are each unique, complex, and distinctive. Not an easy feat when their stories are so interwoven.
I listened to the audiobook, which likely helped with their individual voices (literally). But regardless, I couldn’t help but love each one - even with their flaws.
This book contains one of my favourite forms of writing - character-focused world-building. You get a scope and feel for the location through the characters. They tell us how it feels to be there, they show us what they see and what to make of it - I love that.
This book doesn’t let up, you’re given very brief rests in between a lot of intensity, so bear that in mind. But honestly, I’m convinced. A.D. Rhine, sign me up for the next one!
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, War, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Infertility
smagzisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
savvyrosereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
A retelling and reimagining of the Trojan War, told from the perspective of some of the women of Troy.
This one is a bit long, but it is SO good. I was enamored by the characters, each of whom were beautifully rendered and deeply fascinating. Andromache, in particular, is a figure I have never paid much attention to in myth but that I really enjoyed here, both in her own right and in her relationship with Hector.
As a lifelong horse-girl, I also loved the horses here (and Rhea’s interactions with them) and appreciated the role they played throughout the story. Finally, the action really picked up towards the final third of the book, and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat to see what would happen and where everything would end up. I cannot WAIT for the sequel, DAUGHTERS OF BRONZE, which is coming in November!
If you enjoy myths and retellings, I highly recommend this one! The audiobook itself was also excellent and I liked all of the narrators!
CW: Death/war/violence/blood; sexual violence; physical abuse; grief; pregnancy/infidelity
A retelling and reimagining of the Trojan War, told from the perspective of some of the women of Troy.
This one is a bit long, but it is SO good. I was enamored by the characters, each of whom were beautifully rendered and deeply fascinating. Andromache, in particular, is a figure I have never paid much attention to in myth but that I really enjoyed here, both in her own right and in her relationship with Hector.
As a lifelong horse-girl, I also loved the horses here (and Rhea’s interactions with them) and appreciated the role they played throughout the story. Finally, the action really picked up towards the final third of the book, and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat to see what would happen and where everything would end up. I cannot WAIT for the sequel, DAUGHTERS OF BRONZE, which is coming in November!
If you enjoy myths and retellings, I highly recommend this one! The audiobook itself was also excellent and I liked all of the narrators!
CW: Death/war/violence/blood; sexual violence; physical abuse; grief; pregnancy/infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, War, Classism, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, and Sexual violence